I dont see Grant as that big of a problem, he was very aggressive and direct which can be easy to defeat given the right circumstances. I'd really hate to Fight Jeb stuart. He was a man who enjoyed battle and would attack you any time of the day.

Grant is the guy I'd hate to go up against. Despite the best efforts of Halleck to diminish him in Washington circles the guy kept producing victories. Only the intervention of Lincoln saved his career from the backstabbers in Washington. Vicksburg was considered almost impregnable. He saved the Union forces (along with my gg uncle) who were in dire straits at Chattanooga. He goes east and in just over a year bludgeons Lee into surrender. The guy just knew how to fight a war and get it done.

In Grant vs. Lee Lee won most of the battles against Grant. But the thing with Grant was that he was a bulldog. He didn't really retreat and lick his wounds, he just changed direction and kept going forward. Even in the Western Theater Grant seemed more determined and less likely to retreat to lick his wounds.

There's no denying Stonewall Jackson got the most out of his command but who were his adversaries: McDowell, Banks, Frémont, MClellan, Pope, Hooker ? I would not want to go up against "The Rock of Chickamauga" George H. Thomas. He served as Buell's second-in-command at the Battle of Perryville which halted Bragg's invasion of Kentucky. Thomas gave an impressive performance at the Battle of Stones River, holding the center of the retreating Union line and once again preventing a victory by Bragg. He once again held a desperate position against Bragg's onslaught at Chickamauga while the Union line on his right collapsed. A dramatic breakthrough on Missionary Ridge in the Battle of Chattanooga. In the Franklin-Nashville Campaign of 1864, he achieved one of the most decisive victories of the war, destroying the army of much-touted Confederate General John Bell Hood, at the Battle of Nashville. After the War, during the Reconstruction period, Thomas acted to protect freedmen from white abuses. Thomas also used troops to protect places threatened by violence from the Ku Klux Klan. His record speaks for itself. A great soldier and American.

I agree with some of what you said ole. I disagree that Lee beat him in "most" battles. The Wilderness was really a Grant victory...Lee did not hold the field. Grant marched South after that. Continued his advance. I am VERY suspect as to the (Confederate) numbers killed there...I betcha it was bout even. Close but we do not know for sure. Cold Harbor...Lee victory I reckon but, again, Grant not driven. NO Lee victories after Cold Harbor. Actually I would argue there were no real "definitive" Lee victories after Gettsyburg. An eternal debate! Makes it all fun and interesting. Carry on.

I wouldn't have liked to face U.S. Grant. He simply refuses to lose- which wouldn't go over very well with me. His morale, even while losing, was impossible to top. However, I wouldn't have liked to face Lee, either- his dangerously reckless decisions would be incredibly difficult to beat.

I think it depends on the context. If Forrest knew you were coming, or could anticipate your movements and you were a bit slow or in the mud, you're done. In active warfare he was the best.

But if I were sitting back, defending my homeland, I'd fear Sherman the most. Perhaps not as bold as Grant, he'd cut my supplies without mercy and make my homeland howl before firing a shot. Forrest would come right at me, while Sherman would shrewdly destroy the countryside while I watched.

General Sherman's army was responsible for the destruction of a huge amount of property, but Sherman never sanctioned murder.

In fact, General Sherman offered General Joseph E. Johnston very generous surrender terms at the Bennett Place in late April of 1865. He even provided the defeated Confederates with rations, horses, and mules.

General Johnston was very grateful to Sherman, and they formed a lasting friendship. After the war, General Johnston would not tolerate a negative word to be said about General Sherman in his presence.

By contrast, Josef Stalin sanctioned the deaths of many millions of his countrymen, both military and civilian, in various purges and in gulags. He was probably responsible for the deaths of more people than Adolf Hitler was. You mentioned Stalingrad. There Stalin ordered massive reinforcements through murderous German air attacks that killed thousands, and thousands more Russian troops were slaughtered by special units if they tried to retreat from contact with the Germans.

To compare General Sherman to Josef Stalin in any way is an absurdity.

Towards the end, even Grant was relying on Sheridan at Appommatox. Sheridan had no quit in him and he was always the aggressor. Even in the beginning at Stones River he gave better than he got. Whether in the Valley, at Five Forks and Sailors Creek, he was, in my opinion a general I would not like to face. He got rid of those generals under him who could not keep up, i.e. Warren. He only had one gear: forward.

ESPN had a program where they matched great NFL teams together in simulation, i.e. Steelers of 75 vs. Bears of 85. I would have loved to see Sheridan vs. Forrest.

Towards the end, even Grant was relying on Sheridan at Appommatox. Sheridan had no quit in him and he was always the aggressor. Even in the beginning at Stones River he gave better than he got. Whether in the Valley, at Five Forks and Sailors Creek, he was, in my opinion a general I would not like to face. He got rid of those generals under him who could not keep up, i.e. Warren. He only had one gear: forward.

ESPN had a program where they matched great NFL teams together in simulation, i.e. Steelers of 75 vs. Bears of 85. I would have loved to see Sheridan vs. Forrest.